Atmospheric composition and climate

Question 1

greenhouse effect

Answer 1

solar radiation enters atmosphere and is reabsorbed by atmosphere or is reflected

Question 2

what’s the equilvalence of one molecule of methane in co2

Answer 2

28

thus, methane is a strong and potent GHG

Question 3

what is a sink for methane

Answer 3

tropospheric destruction

- reacts in troposphere with OH

Question 4

where does methane come from and how long does it stay in atmosphere

Answer 4

comes from - wetlands, termites, plants, ocean, cattle, sewage, fossil fuels and landfill etc - is coming out of ice bubbles
stays in atmosphere for 10 yrs

Question 5

one molecule of nitrous oxide is equivalent to how many co2

Answer 5

265
v potent
impact is much lower tho cut we emit way less

Question 6

what is a nitrous oxide sink

Answer 6

stratospheric loss

Question 7

kohler theory

Answer 7

droplets forms when gas particles collide and stick together - nucleation

Question 8

to nucleate rain droplets from pure water we need a supersaturation of what?

Answer 8

20%

to reduce the required super saturation we need an existing particle as a CCN - aerosols

Question 9

what % of incoming radiation to clouds reflect

Answer 9

30%

Question 10

2 types of aerosol

Answer 10

scattering - reflect incoming sunlight and cool surface

absorbing - warm atmosphere by absorbing infrared